Machine for weighing and sorting filled cans



11 Sheets-Sheet l gmc/wm:

M. L. DODGE Filed June 13, 1934 Sept. 7, 1937.

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANS Sept. 7, 19.37. M. L. DODGE MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANb Filed June 13, 1934 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 sept 7, 1937- M. L. DODGE 2,092,109

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANS Filed June 13, '19:54

l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 7, 1937. M. I .DoDGE MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANS Filed June l5, 1934 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 7, 1937. M. DODGE MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND ySHTINCT FILLED CANS Filed June l5, 1954 1l Sheets-Sheet 5 Gum/MMM Sept. 7, 1937. M. L. DODGE 2,092,109

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING' FILLED CANS v -Filed June 13, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 lll/4 Sept. 7, 1937. M. DODGE A2,092,109

MACHINE 'FOR WEIGHI'NG AND SORTING FILLED ANS Filed June 13, 1954 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 J'tlg. Qa. l

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MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANS Filed June 13, 1934 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 v 5 M A gm am@ WM M. L.. DODGE I 2,092,109-4 Sept. 7, .1937. M. l.. DODGE MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED CANS Filed June 13, 1954 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 ww mwv.

Sept. 7, 1937. M. L. DODGE 2,092,109

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING AND SORTING FILLED.CANS

Filed June 13. 1934 1l SheeSl-Sheel'. 1l

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@3u www Mm `Paten-ted Sept. 7, 1.937 Y UNIrED STATES, PATl-:Nr OFFICE MACXHINE Foa WEIGHING AND soR'rrNG FILLED cANs Merton L. Dodge, Seattle, Wash., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York. N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 13, 1934, Serial No. 730,526

10 Claims. (Cl. 209-121) The invention relates to new and useful im Weighing and sorting means and into the final provements in a mach .ne for weighing and sortdischarging means f the machineing filled cans according to the weight of the food These and other objects will in part be obvious product therein. Machines have been designed and Will in part be hereinafter more fully defor receiving filled cans in succession from a scribed. 5 ller, which machines weigh the cans and de- In the drawings which Show by Way 0f illusliver the same at different points according to tration one embodiment of the inventionthe weight of the food product contained there- Figure 1 is a side view of a machine embodying in. The cans of normal weight Will be discharged the improvements with portions of the weighing at one point, those of light Weight at another, units broken away for thesake of clearness; 10

, and those of overweight at still another point. Fig. 2 iS a Dian VieW 0f the main DOTOD 0f the Considerable difiiculty has been experienced in machine, with certain of the weighing units'shown the feeding of the cans on to the weighing platin full lines and the position of the others indiforms of the weighing units, and in the removing cated diagrammatically;

l5 of the cans from these weighing platforms, due Fig. 3 is asectional view on the line 3--3 of 15 to the fact that the weighing platforms are free Fig. 2; to move at any time during the loading andthe Fig. 4 is a view partly in plan and partly in unloading thereof. section yand showing morefor less diagrammati- An object of the present invention is to procally the operating mechanism for the main Ivide o machine of the above type with ymeans Darts of the machine and the arrangement there- 20 whereby the scale beams of the weighing units of relative to the machine; are positively held from movement during the Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged plan View of loading of the can on to the weighing platform a portion of the machine and showing the feed- 'and during the removing of the cans from said ing-in mechanism and the removable guide -sec`- platforms, and are released so as to assume a tiOnS aSSOCiated therewith; (o 25 position determined by the weight of the food Fig. 6 iSI a Sectional View on the line 6 6 of. product in the can after leaving the feeding-in Fig- 2; station and before reaching the discharge sta- Fig- 7 iS a Sectional View 0n the line 1-1 of tion. Fig-2;

A further object oi the invention is to pro- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal 30 vide a machine of the above type with automatic Sectional view showing in full lines one of the means for returning lall ofthe weighing platweighing units and in broken lines the two adforms to a single xed path of trave1 for the jacent weighing units, and also Showing the staloading of the 'cans on to the weighing platforms. tOnaIY COIITOI Cam aSSOealed With the units; 3 A still further object of the invention is to Fg- 9 iS a developed View 0f the face of the 35 'provide a machine of the above type with a table control'cam and showing the yieldable director for along which the'cans after they are discharged the underweght and Overweight Containers; from the weighing machine are passed in as- Fg- 9a is an enlarged 4developell 'View 0f a sorted lines so that the cans of light weight may portion 0f the Control drum in the region Where have product added thereto and the cans the Scale beams are directed and. locked the of over weght may l have food product taken position determined by the weight of the can and therefrom, after which all of the cans are brought the ,contelts thereof; to a single une of traVeL l Fig. 10 1s an enlarged deta11 showing the fric- A still further object ofthe invention is to pronon bars for .optroumg the moynflent of the 5 vide a machine of the above type wherein the scale beam as 1t 1s brought to a positlon to enter weighing means for each can is in the form of a gdiollmop track along whlch 1t moves for unit which may be quickly removed from the g machine and replaced without disturbing the oflglolt .1s aseclonal vlew on the Ime na-ma other Weighing units 0r the Operating mechanism rig. 10h15 a settima view on the une lob-.l ub 5 associated therewith. of Fig. 10; A Still further Object 0f the iIlVentOil iS t0 Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view through one v`provide a. machine of the above type which can of the weighing units; r be quickly converted so that the cans `may be Fig. l2 is a sectional view on the line I2-I2 of 05 caused to travel in a straight line past the Fig. 2;

sectional view on the une la-la of Fig. 2; l' y Fig. 14 is a sectional view on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view onthe liney I9-I9 -of Fig. 17, and

' cludes a supporting frame I on which is mounted Fig. is a sectional -view on the line 28-28 of Fig. 1'1. v The machine embodying the improvements in- 20- the weighing and sorting means and also the conveying means for conveying the cans in succession to and from the weighing and sortingv means. At the upper portion of this frame I is a table 2. Ex-

tending to the v.right of the table 2 is a runway 3 with which guide rails 4 are associated, and the lled cans as they come from the filler are passed along this runway in to the timing mechanism of theweighing and sorting machineV and are' delivered thereby Ato the weighing units as they travel continuously past the loading station.

way. The table 2 is provided with,.a channel 5 The lled cans are indicated at C in the drawv ings, and in Fig. 1, only one can is shown for the sake ofclearness. vThere is a traveling chain which frictionally conveys the cans along the runextending from one end to the other thereof, and the conveying chainV which delivers the filled cans intov the machine passes along this channel. The conveying chain is indicated at Iii in Fig. v3

of the drawings, but has been omitted from Fig. 2

for the sake of clearness. 'I'he cans are first delivered to a timing mechanism which includes a. conveyor screw 1. This combined conveyor and timing screw is of the usual construction and operates to receive the cans fed thereto by the conveyor chain, and delivers the filled cans in a predetermined time relation to each other. This timing screw is mounted on the end of a shaft 8 which is the actuating shaft for the timing screw.

'I'his shaft is journaled in a bracket Sattached to `the table by bolts I0, I8 which pass through slots in the bracket and provide a means whereby the bracket may be shifted laterally toward andA from the path of travel of the cans. This is for placing the timing screw so that itmay operate upon cans of different sizes. The other end of the timing screw is mounted ona bearing pin IiI which is slidably mounted in the bracket 8. Said bearing pin has a groove I2 formed in the side face thereof with which a set screw I3 is adapted to engage.

By loosening the set screw, the bearing pin maybe moved endwise` so as'y to withdraw it from the timing screw, and this permits the left-hand end of the timing screw to be moved axially and the timing screw withdrawn from its .connection --to the end` of the shaft 8. The set screw I3 -is only released sufllciently to permit the movement of the bearing pin in an endwise direction, and the ends of the lgroove in the bearing pin will limit its movement. Opposed to the timing screw is a guide I4 pivoted at I5 and yieldingly pressed against a stop I6 by a.l weight I1.

75 usual manner to aidin`the\placing of the cans mounted (see Fig. 3).

* l This yielding gdeco'operateswith the timing screw in the properly'therein and the spacing of the cans for the operation of the timing screw thereon.

The timing. screw delivers the cans to the feed wheel I8. Said feed wheel I8 is provided with a `series of feed lingers I9, and between the feed ngersithe wheel is cut away to form pockets which receive the cans from.the timing screw. As this feed wheel rotates, it will cause the cans to move in a circular Apath along the guide rails 28a and 28 and be delivered one at a time to the weighing units. 'Ihe ,guidev rail 20 is formed in two sections. The section 20a is formed as a part of a cover plate 2 I lwhich overlies the channel in which the feed chain 6 travels. This cover plate is provided with projecting arms 22, 22 which are in turn secured to a pivot rod 23 mounted in bearings 24, 24 carried by a bar 25 which is adjustably attached to the table so that it may be shifted toward and from the path of travel-of the conveyor chain 6. The purpose of mounting this cover plate carrying the guide 28a on a pivot rod will b hereinafter more fully described. The

outer section of this guide 20 is .fixed yto the t'able and remains in a set position.

The machine is provided with a series of weighing units which are mounted on a traveling turret, and these weighing units pass one after another the feeding-in station so that the lled cans are placed in succession on these' traveling weighing units. The frame I includes a horizontal supporting member 26v on which the table. 2 is This supporting member 26 is provided with a hub 21 to which is xed a center column 28. Said center column is keyed to the hub and is secured therein by` a nut 29. Mounted for rotation'about this column is a turret which includes a sleeve 38 surrounding the column. Between said stationary column and vthe sleeve of the turret are bearing bushings 3l, 3|. At the lower end the sleeve rests on a ball bearing 32.

i from thebase member are two standards 31, 3l which are spaced from each other.

Each standard is provided with a laterally projecting rib 38.

Located between'the standards are ller bars which have grooves in the side faces thereof adapted to engagevthe ribs. The purpose of the filler bars is to close the casing between thestandards for theprotection of the weighing u'nits.

Mounted between the standards 31, 31 is the beam 4I) oiv the weighing scale. This beam 48 is carried by a sleeve 4I mounted on a rod 42 which is journaled in bearings'in the standards 3'|, 31. 'Ihese bearings are preferably small stainless steel ball bearings.- At the end ofthe scale beam is a supporting head 43. Suspended from this head 43 is a yoke member 44 carrying the weighing platform 45 on which the can is placed. Said yoke member 44 is carried by a The scale beam includes `a bar 50 which is secured to the main scale beam by means of clamping bolts. The weight is formed in two sections: an upper section which is indicated at 5| in the drawings and a lower section which is indicated at 5|'. Each section has a groove at the joint therebetween'tting over the bar 50 so as to prevent the Weight from shifting sidewise. A fastening screwv 52 passes through a slot in the bar 50 and is threaded into the lower half of the weight 5|. This clamps the two sections of the weight to the bar. By loosening the vscrew 52 the sections of the Weight may be shifted along the bar and clamped in a different position.

Carried by the weight 5| is an auxiliary weight 53. This auxiliary weight 53 is mounted on a threaded shaft 54 which in turn is mounted'for.

rotation in spaced lugs carried by the weight 5|. On the end of thel shaft is a head 55 which permits the shaft to be turned. The auxiliary weight 53 is keyedto the weight 5| so that it cannot turn,` but may be shifted by turning the shaft so as to vary the position of said auxiliary Weight on said main weight 5|. This provides a ready means for adjusting the effectiveness of the counterbalancing weight of theweighing unit.

Mounted on the supporting yoke 44 is'a guide 56 which forms a segmental pocket adapted to receive the canl for positioning the same on the l platform of the Weighing unit. This guide 56 moves up and down with the weighing platform and maintains a fixed position relative to the can during the Weighing thereof.

As the turret rotates, these weighing units will be caused to move past the feeding-in station and the cans are placed one after another in the weighing units. Associated with the turret is a cover therefor which is indicated at 51. This cover has slots 58 formed in the depending skirt thereof through which the weighing beams ex, tend, and the cover houses the upper ends of the standards, so that the only part of the weighing unit projecting beyond the cover plate is the head 43, the supporting yoke 44 and the weighing platform 45. This cover 51 rests on lugs 59 carried by the standards 31, 31.

The turret is rotated from a main actuating shaft 6D (see Fig. 3). Surrounding said actuating shaft 68 is an actuating sleeve 6|. This sleeve is mounted in a bushing 62 carried by a bracket 63 depending from the support 26. There is a second bracket 64 depending from said support'26 and the inner end of the shaft 68 is mounted for rotation in a bushing 65 carried by this bracket 64. Attached to the sleeve 6| 1s a clutch member 66. Attached to the shaft 60 is a clutch member 61. These clutch members 66 and 61 are controlled by levers 68, 68 and a shift-- able collar 69. This shiftable collar 69 is in turn controlled by a lever connected by a link 1| to a rocking lever 12, and the rocking lever 12 is connected through a link 13` to a hand lever ing clutch which is released when there is an obstruction to the lmovement of; the parts operated thereby. As for example, a jam in the discharg- Mounted on this bar 50 is a weight.

lng of a can from the weighing and sorting means. As soon as the jam is released, then this yielding clutch is restored to its normal condition. 'Ihe shaft 18 is mounted for rotation in a bearing `sleeve 8| carried by the supporting member 26. At the upper end of the shaft 18 is a pinion 82 which meshes with a gear Wheel 83 mounted on the sleeve 30 and secured thereto by suitable bolts. When the clutch members 66 and 61 are moved into engagement, the turret will be rotated through this connection just described.

Likewise meshing with the gear wheel 83 is a pinion 84. The pinion 84 is fixed to a shaft 85. Said pinion 84 is provided with a sleeve 86. Mounted in said sleeve 86 are threaded bolts 81, 81. The shaft is cut away so as to provide flat faces 88, 88 with which said bolts, respectively contact. By retracting one bolt and threading in the other, the position of the pinion 84 may be shifted on said shaft, or, in other words, the shaft may be shifted within limits in the pinion 84. At the upper end of this shaft 85 is the feedY wheelI |8, which as shown, consists of an upper and lower series of feeding fingers projecting laterally from the central hub portion 89. A'set screw 90 passing through the hub portion secures the feed wheel to the shaft 85. By loosening this set screw 90, the feed wheel, which is keyed to the shaft, can be re- V moved therefrom for purposes which will behereinafter more fully described. It is very essential that the feed finger shall be properly timed so as to place the cansinvthe pockets on the weighing platforms. The weighing platforms travel with the turret. The pinion 84 is rotated by the turret,'and therefore, these threaded bolts 81 which permit the shifting of the shaft relative to the pinion, will enable the timing of the fingers, relative to the travel of the weighing platforms to be varied within limits as above noted. The lower feed Wheel is shown as having the fingers and receiving dogs thereof dimensioned for operation upon cans of larger diameter. When the can is of less height, it is usually of larger diameter, and is so shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. l

Meshing with the gearf83 is a pinion 82. This pinion 82 is fixed to the shaft 18 which carries a pinion 93. 'I'he pinion 93 meshes with a pinion 94 which in turn meshes with a pinion 95 carried by the shaft 96. This shaft 96 ismounted for rotation in a bearing sleeve 91 which is formed integral with the bracket 9. At the upper end of this shaft 96 is a bevel gear 98 which meshes with a bevel gear 99 fixed to the shaft 8. This is the shaft that is connected to the timing screw, and thus it is that the timing screw is rotated through this train of gears which is xed to and rotates with the turret. As above noted, it is desirable at times to shift the position of the timing screw relative to the path of travel of the feed chain. The gear 94 isv mounted on a stub shaft which is adjustably attached to the frame of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 4. The support for the pinion 94 is capable of adjustment about the shaft 18 as a center. The bracket 9 may be shifted toward or from the path of travel of the chain, and this will bodily shift the shaft 96 and the operatingrposition of the pinion 95. The pinion 94 is adjusted to accommodate this shifting of theset position of the pinion 95.

The table 2 is provided with an extension which completely encircles the turret 33. That portion of the table, however, which encircles the the table and extending into Athe opening limits turret is depressed as indicated at 2a, so that the platform or pans of the weighing units can travel freely over this portion of the table and move to a set position determined by the weight of the can. Encircling the path of travel of the weighing units and the extension portion of the table is a guard rail 2b which is attached to suitable brackets carried by the table extension 2a. There is a projecting plate carried by the table which receives the cans as they are moved along the guide 20 by the feed wheel I8. 'Ihis plate terminates at the line |00. The pan or platform of each weighing unit passes underneath the e guide 20 and -this projectingplate. The travelv of the weighing units is so timed relative to the feed fingers I6 that the can will be pushed ou from this projecting plate across the line |00 and on to the platform of the weighing unit.

-Located at one side of the path of travel of the weighing units is a presser member |0I. Said presser member is mounted to swing about a vertical' axis on a support |02. mally turns said presser member in a counterclockwise direction. Said presser member has a hole |04 therethrough, and a pin |05 carried by .the swinging movement .of the presser member.

I The outer eidof this presser member is provided with'a curved plate |06. y -The presser memberv is so disposed that as the weighing units pass the A same, the can,'if it is not fully seated in the pocket formed by the guide 56, will contact with the curved plate |06 carried thereby, and will be yieldingly forced against the guide or positioning pocket 56.

During the loading of the can on to the platforrn of the weighing unit, the scale beam is positively held from vertical movement. After the can is.located on saidweighing platform, then the scale beam is released so that the platform with the can thereon will move to a set positionv I determined by the weight of the contents of the can. If the can is lled so that it contains a normal weight, then it will take one set position and remain in this set position as itr travels to the discharging station of the machine; If it is overweight, then the can will move to a lower position, and will travel in this lower position to the discharging station of the machine. Likewise, if it is light weight, then it will assume a higher position than normal, and will travel in this position to the discharging station.

Means is provided for locking the scale beam against movement of the discharging station so that when the `cans are removed from the weighing platforms or pans, these platforms are substantially held in a rigid vertical position. The means which locks thescale beams in'a predetermined iixed-position consists of control'tracks associated with all of the weighing units, and along whichthe inner ends of the scale beams travel. The bar 50 on which the weight 5| is mounted extends all the way through the weight Vand is provided at its-extreme inner end witha wedge-shaped director |01. Fixed to the upper end of the column 28 is a drum |08. Said drum is provided with a projecting' ange |09 at' the lupper face thereof, and with a projecting flange IYI0 at thelower face thereof. vSaid lower ange is formed by a plate which-is attached to the drum. The inner ends of the bars 50 travel between these flanges and close to the surface of the drum, but out of contact therewith. From the point a to the point b (Figures 8 and 9), the space between the two flanges is free from any obstruc- A spring |03 nor- 1 provide a track II2 along which the end of the scale beam may pass. There is a bar I|3 also attached to the peripheral face of the drum between the flanges,A andv between this bar |I3 and L tne aange un 1s a track in. Between the two bars is a track'l I5. The drum is provided with a cut-away. portion in the peripheral face thereof and between the flanges |09 and I I0 adjacent the point b. Locatedin this cut-away portion is a roller H6. The roller is mounted between two arms I I1, I I1 carried by a hub member I I8 which is mounted to swing about a pivot post I I9 extending through the flanges of the drum. A spring 20 bearing against a lug I2I carried by the hub, normally tends to rotate the arms in a counterclockwise direction, and thus yieldingly forces the roller I 6 radially outwardly of the drum. There is a lug |22 which serves as a stop to limit the outward movement of the roller.

This roller |I6 is provided with a central groove' |23, `which groove is of the same width as the' track ||5 and is in line therewith. It is also of the s-ame Width as the end of the scale beam bar 50. The roller at each side of this central groove f |23 is beveled as indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The end of the bar III is inclined as indicated at I Ia. The end-of the bar |I3 is inclined as indicated at |I3a. This bar III has at its inner side, an oppositely inclined face IIIb. The bar -I I3 also has at its inner face an oppositely inclined face II3b.

As the end of the scale beam approaches thev vroller H6, the director |01 will usually pass either y the inclined face I| la, and this will lead the end of the scale beam into the track` H2. 'I'he end of the scale beam is'of such widththat it can pass freely along this track I|2, but will be held from any appreciable vertical movement. On the other hand, if the director passes entirely below l the groove I 23 of the roller |I6, it will contact withthe inclined face l|3a and be directed into the track IM, which is similarly dimensioned so as to hld the scale beam from any appreciable vertical movement while in this trackway. If the director passes into the groove I 23, then it will be directed into the track I5 and again the scale I beam will be held from any appreciable movement i thereof. Assuming that the director contacts with the extreme outer edge of the upper tapered facel of the roller |I6 so that it cannot pass into this groove, or be directed upwardly on to the face ||Ia of ,the bar III, under such a condition, the 1 roller will yield and the director |01 will strike the inclined face I IIb of the bar and this will cause the scale beam end to pass along the track beam will force the outer end of the scale beam 1 to a position below normal, and the director will .-cause the end of the scale beam to enter the track 4. If the can is of normal weight, then this end of the scale beam will pass along the track |15, and if it is over-weight, then it will cause the end of the scale beam and cause the director to pass along the track I |2. These tracks will hold the scale beam from vertical movement, and it is while the scale beams are passing along these tracks that the cans are removed from the weighing platforms or pans at the discharging station of the machine.

It 'is desirable to bring all of the weighing platforms back to a normal position for loading.

. This is accomplished by the bars |24 and |25.

These bars are placed along the peripheral face of the drum between the flanges and |0 and fill the space, except for the track |26. The end of the bar |24 is inclined as indicated at |21. The end of the bar |25 is inclined as indicated at |28. The ends of the bars and ||3 are inclined also. The end of one of the scale beams is indicated at d. It is just leaving the track ||2, and the inclined end of the director is contacting with the inclined wall |21, and also the rear edge of the scale beam is contacting with the inclined surface on the bar At this time, the can has been removed from the weighing pan or platform, and the weight overbalances the pan s'o as to force the end of the scale beam downward.

Friction bars |1| and |12 are provided for the purpose of retarding the ydownward. movement of the end of the scale beam when it leaves the tracks ||2 and 5. The friction bars |1| and |12 are similar in construction. There are up- Y standing bracket members carried by the flange rod for free swinging movement.

spring |11 in .the rear of each friction bar which and enter the track |26.

|09 of the drum. Thesev bracket members are indicated at |13 and |14 respectively. The pivot rod |16 passes through the bracket members and the friction bars |1| and |12 are mounted on this There is av normally presses the same outward until it contacts with the bar |25. Each friction bar has on its outer face a V-shaped groove |18. The faces are rounded and the groove extends around onto the side face thereof. The track bar |25 and also the track bar |24 are cut away to a slight extent in the region of these friction bars so that the friction bars normally lie pushed outward to a position so that the end of the scale beam will contact withl the same. beam is moving along the track ||2, it will engage the friction bar |1| and will gradually slide down the face of the friction bar until it registers with the v-shaped groove |18 therein. As it passes onto the friction bar |12, it will travel along the V-shaped groove |18. -If this end of the scale beam does not pass into the V-shaped groove on the bar |1|, it will certainly pass into the groove on bar |12 and .will be directed into the track |26. If the end of the scalebeam is passing along the track H5, it will enter the V-shaped grooveU |18 in the friction bar |1| and will pass along the V-shaped groove in the friction bar I1 If for any reason the end of the scale beam should not be retained in this V-shaped groove, it will contact with the face of the bar beneath the groove and necessarily force the bar backwardas it moves ldown into contact with the tapered'end |28 of the'bar 25. These friction bars yieldingly pressed outward will, of course, move-back against the tension of their springs to allow the end' of the scale beam v with three diierent levels.

If the end of the scale v to enter the V-shaped groove. Thus it is that the scale beams when they leave their tracks after the containers are removed therefrom and move back into the common track |26 are controlled so that there is no rapid dropping of the end of the scale beam when the scale platform is unloaded.

This track |26 is of suicient length so that the scale beam end is following the track when the can is loaded on to the pan or platform of the weighing unit. The discharge end of the bar |25 is inclined downwardly as indicated at |29. The end of the bar |24 is inclined upwardly as indicated at |30. When the end of the scale beam passes out of the track |26, the/n said scale beam is free to move up or down determined by the weight of the can and its contents. Ifit is of normal weight, then there will be little or no up or down movement. If it is of over-Weight, then the inclined face |30 will prevent sudden movements of the scale beam and aid in bringing the scale beam to a fixed balanced position without bouncing. Likewise, if it is of under-Weight, then the inclined face |29 will aid in the bringing of the scale beam to a balanced position.

The means for removing thecans from the platform of the weighing unit and for sorting the same according to weight, will now be described. The table 2 at the discharge station is provided -The section 2c is on the lowest level, and the can which is overweight and marked heavy in the drawings, is transferred from the weighing pan or platform on to this section of the table. Attached to this section of the table is a plate |3| The weighing'platform or pan of the scale, when the scale beam is passing along the track H2, is so positioned that it passes just above this projecting plate |3| (see Fig. 13). The normal weight can will pass on to the section 2d of the table which is slightly above the section 2c. Associated with this section 2d is a plate |32.'` The edge of this plate |32 serves as a guide for the can of heavy weight, and assists in removing the can from the pan or platform hea'vy weight, and is suspended so that the pan or platform on which the heavy can is supported will pass beneath the plate. Thus it is that the edge of the plate will serve as a guide for directing the can along the surface of the table 2c. There is also a guide plate |33 and the can of heavy weight will pass between the plates |32 and |33 and be forced along said surface. 2c until within the range of the feed chain running over a sprocket wheel |34. One can will crowd another along until the cans are brought into range of these traveling chains. Associated with each weighing unitis a bracket which aids in the discharge of the can from the scale pan or platform. This bracket is indicated at |35. Said bracket is clamped to one of the standards 31, and is provided with a projecting arm |36 which is so disposed relative to the guide 56 that the can is normally out'of contact with the arm, so that the arm will not, in any way, prevent the scale beam from reaching its proper balanced position. When, however, the can contacts with the plate |32 and is crowded backward on the pan, it -will be brought into engagement with this arm |36 and the arm will forcibly move the can on to the plate |3| and nally pass the can after it is well out on the plate.

'Ihe can of normal weight is discharged on to the surface 2d of the table. Associated with the surface 2e which receives the cans of light weight,

is a projecting plate 31. -The edge of this projecting plate serves as a guide for the can of normal Weight, justas-the plate |32 serves as a guide for the can of heavy weight. In a similar manner, the cans of normal weight are forced along the plate |32 on to the surface 2d and finally into range of a chain running over a sprocket wheel |38. The cans of light weight will be so positioned as to be discharged on to the face 2e of the table, and this is the normal face of the table. ',Ihere is a guide |39 which directs the cans into contact with the guide 20h carried by the cover plate 2|, and this guide will direct the cans into the path of travel of the feed chain which delivers the cans to the machine. Associated with the plate |32 is a guide rail |32. The heavy weight can is guided by the edge of the plate |32 into contact with this guide rail |32. There is likewise a guiding rail in alinement with the guiding edge of the plate |33. Associated with the plate |31 is a guide rail |31', and the guiding edge of this plate |31 leads into alinement with the guide rail |31'. The'guide rail |32' serves in conjunction with the guide rail |31 to direct the cans of normal Weight. 'I'he cans of light weight are .directed by the guides |39 and 20h into contact with the guide rail 25, and this guide rail, together with the guide rail |31' directs the cans of light weight intothe range of action of the can conveying chain 6.

In the manner described above, the cans at the discharge station are sorted and taken `away -frorn the weighing units along three different paths of traveL'one for the heavy cans, another for the cans of normal Weight, and the third for the cans of light weight.

Extending laterally from the frame 2 of the Weighing and sorting machine is a frame extension |40. At the outer end, said frame extension is mounted on legs 4|. Journaled in this frame extension is a shaft |42. This shaft carries a sprocket wheel |43, and a feed chain |44 travels vover this'sprocket wheel and the sprocket wheel` |34 and moves the heavy cans along the track defined by the guide rails |46 and |50. The shaft |42 carries a sprocket wheel |5|. The main feed chain travels over this sprocket wheel, and the cans are conveyed'along the track defined by the guide rails |52 and |53. Extending :alongside of the track for, the light weight cans is a stainless steel plate |54. -Extending along the track for the heavy weight cans is astainless steel plate 55. These plates constitute a patching table.` The table |54 may add food product tothe light' weight cans to bring them up to normal condition, and an operator standing by the patching table |55 may remove food product from heavy weight cans to likewise bring them to normal condition. n

There is a sprocket wheel |56 on the shaft |42 which is in alinement with a track |51, and the guide rails are all arranged so that all of the cans nally find their way into this track |51 vand are fed along the same to the clincher. 'Ihe shaft |42 carries a bevel gear |58 which is loosely mounted thereon and which may be connected to the shaftv through a clutch |59 controlled by a hand lever |60. Meshing with the bevel gear |58 is a bevel gear |6| carried by a shaft |62. This shaft carries at its inner end a bevel gear |63 meshing with a bevel gear on a shaft |64. A

`sprocket chain '|65 travels over a sprocket Wheel |64 on this shaft |64, and also over a sprocket' Wheel |61 on an auxiliary shaft |68. This auxthereof.

vdischarge station, the scale beam is caused to pass operator standing beside the patching,

iliary shaft |68 carries a sprocket Wheel |69 which is connected through a sprocket chain with the sprocket wheel |66 which is fixed to the sleeve 6|. Thus it is that the feed chains are all driven from the main actuating shaft and in proper timing therewith.

From the above it will be apparent that the lled cans may be taken .promiscuously from a line and are timed so that they are fed one after another on totheweighing platform or pan of a traveling weighing unit. While the filled can is being loaded on to the weighing Lmit, the scale pan or platform is held from Vertical movement while it is receiving the can. After the can is loaded on to the platform 'or pan, then the scale beam is released, so that the platform or pan will move to a predetermined position according to the weight of the can and the contents As the Weighing units approach the along a track determinedby the weight of the can and its contents, and the scale beams will be locked from vertical movement in one of three4 different positions. will be in one line of travel, the cans of lighter The cans of normal weightA weight will be in another position of travel, and',

the cans of heavy weight will be in the third position of travel.' The cans are taken off from the scale beams and directed along tracks so thatall of the cans of normal weight will pass centrally along the patching table, While the cans of light weight will pass along one side of the patching table, and the cans of heavy weight will pass along the other side of the patching table, thus the cans` can bev made of substantially normal weight while they are traveling and will then be brought into line and vdirected to the clinching machine. Y

Inasmuch as the weighing units are each selfcontained, any one may be quickly removed and another substituted therefor, so as not to delay the operation of the weighing and sorting machine. 'If, for any reason, it is desirable to render the weighing and sorting machine inoperative, this can be done without interfering with the operation of the filling machine and the clincher. The cover-plate 2| is raised so as to same. The feedwheel I8 is detached from its supporting shaft and removed. The timing screw or spiral is also released and removed, and this will give a free path of travel for the cans along with the main conveying chain`- from the' expose the feed chain'which travels beneath the cans, the combination of a supporting frame, a A

rotatable turret, a series of self-contained weighingunits removably secured to said turret, each including a scale beam, means removably carried by the turret for pivotally supporting the scale beam, a'yoke suspended at the outer end ofthe scale beam, a Weighing platformcarried bysaid yoke, a stationary drum having projecting vspaced flanges, each scale beam having the end thereof projecting between said flanges and carrying a wedge-shaped director, bars secured to said drum and forming tracks along which said director is adapted to pass, said tracks being disposed so as to hold said scale beams in set positions during certain angular travel of the weighing units, and" 'diverting roller located at the `receiving ends of said tracks, said roller having spaced oppositely disposed cone-shaped members cooperating with said directors for directing the scale beams into the tracks.

2. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a frame, a rotatable turret, a series of weighing units carried thereby,

each including a scale beam and a can receiving platform, means for placing cans on the plat' forms, selective means for removing the cans at different stations determined by the position of the weighing platform, a stationary drum concentric to the axis of said turret, vertically spaced tracks for receiving in succession the ends of the scale beams while passing the removing station for holding the scale beam in a set position determined by the position of the weighing platform as it approaches said tracks, said tracks merging into a single track at the loading station for holding said platforms in a set position while placing the cans thereon, and said drum being free from tracks so as to permit the scale beams to move freely to a set position determined by the weight of the can as it travels from the loading. station to the removing station and a yieldingly mounted diverting roller located at vthe receiving ends of said tracks, said roller having spaced oppositely disposed cone-shaped members cooperating with saidy directors for directing the scale beams into the tracks.

3. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a frame, a rotatable turret, a series of weighing units carried thereby, each including a scale beam and av can receiving platform, means for placing the cans on the platforms, selective means for removing the cans at different stations determined bythe position of the weighing platform, a stationary drum concentric to the axis of said turret, vertically spaced tracks for receiving in succession the ends of the scale beamsv while passing the removing station for holding the scale beam in a set position determined by the position of the weighing plat form as it approaches said tracks, said tracks merging into a single track at the loading station for holding said platforms in a set position while placing the cans thereon, and said drum being free from tracks so as to permit the scale beams to move freely to a' set position determined by the Weight ofthe can as it travels from the loading station to the removing station, each scale beam having a wedge-shaped director on the inner end thereof, said tracks having the receiving ends thereof inclined for cooperation with said director, anda yieldingly mounted diverting roller having cone-shaped faces at the opposite sides thereof located at the receiving ends of said tracks and cooperating with said -directors forI position during the loading of a can onto a platform, said track`terminating so as to permit free movement of the scale beams after the cans are loaded onto the platforms for bringing the scale beam to a set position determined by the weight of the can, said stationary member having a series of spaced tracks along which the end of the scale beam-passes selectively during the unloading 0f the platforms whereby cans of under-weight and cans of over-weight are discharged at different points from the platforms, said stationary member-having a space between the series of tracks controlling the scale beam for unloading and the single track for controlling the scale beam during loading, and a friction bar located in said last- 4named space with which the ends of the scale vbeams contact to prevent sudden movements of the scale beams due to the unloaded condition thereof when the cans are removed from the platform.

5. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a series of traveling weighing units, each including a scale beam and a can receiving platform, a stationary member having a track along which the ends of the scale beam travel for holding the scale beams in a set position during the loading of a can onto a plat.- form, said track terminating so as to permit free movement of the scale beams after the cans are loaded onto the platforms for bringing the scale beam to a set position determined by the Weight of the can, said stationary member having a series of spaced tracks along which the end of the scale beam passes selectively during the unloading of the platforms whereby cans of underweight and cans of over-weight are discharged at different points from the platforms, said stationary member having a space between the series of tracks controlling the scale beam for unloading and the single track for' controlling the scale beam during loading, and a friction bar located in said last-named space with which the ends of the scale beams contact to prevent sudden movements of the scale beams due to the unloaded condition thereof when the cans are removed from the platform, said friction bar having a V-shaped groove extending across the face thereof in line with the single track guiding the scale beam during loading, and yielding means for normally forcing said friction bar into position for contact with the end of the scale beam.

6. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cansthe combination of a conveyor, a series of weighing units removably carried thereby, each including a scale beam and a can receiving platform, each scale beam at the inner end thereof carrying a directing member, a stationary member along which the ends of the scale beams move, said stationary member having spaced bars forming tracks along which the directing members of the scale beams may pass, the bars at the receiving ends of the tracks being inclined to aid in guiding the director into the tracks, and a yieldingly mounted roller having spaced tapered surfaces for guiding the director on the end of the scale beam into engagement with the inclined end of the tracks.

'7. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a conveyor, a series of weighing units carried thereby, each including a scale beam and a can receiving platform, each scale beam at the inner end thereof carrying a directing member, a stationary member having spaced bars forming tracks along which the directing members of the scale beams may pass,

the bars at the receiving ends of the tracks being inclined to aid in guiding the director into the tracks, and a yieldingly mounted diverter for guiding the director on the end of the scale beam into engagement with the inclined end of the tracks,.said diverter having a passage centrally therethrough in line with a central track so asA to permit the scale beam to pass the diverter into said central track when the can'is of Anormal Weight.

. 8. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a conveyor, a series of weighing units carried thereby, each including'a scale beam and a can receiving platform, each scale beam lat the inner end thereof carrying a.

directing member, a stationary member having spaced bars forming tracks along which the directing members of the scale beams may pass, the bars at the receiving ends of the tracks being inclined to aid in guiding the directorinto the tracks, and a yieldingly mounted roller having Qspaced members with their outer faces beveled,

thus providing a passage for the director on the scale beam so that it may enter the centrally disposed track when the can is of normal weight, the

outer beveled faces of said spaced members serving to divert the end of the scale beam so that it will contact with the inclined face of the bar and pass into the track associated therewith.

9. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination o'f a series of traveling weighing units, each including a scale beam and a canreceivi'ng platform, a stationary member having a track along which the ends of the scale 'beam travel for holding the scale beams in a set position during the loading of a can onto a platform, said track terminating so as to permit free movement of the scale beams after the cans are loaded onto the platforms for bringing the scale beam to a set position determined by the unloading and the single track for controlling the scale beam `during loading and a vertically disposed friction bar located in said space with which the ends of the scale beams contact after they leave the tracks in which they are traveling for preventing sudden movement of the scale beams as said end beams are positioned for entering the singletrack leading to the loading station.

10. In a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans, the combination of a series of traveling weighing units, each including a scale beam" and a can receiving platform, a stationary member having a track along which the ends of the scale beam travel for holding the scale beams in aset position during the loading of a can onto a platform, said trackterminating so as to permit free movement of the scale beams after thecans are loaded onto the platforms for bringing the scale beam to a set position determined by the, weight of the can, said stationary member having a series of spaced tracks along which the end of the scale beam passes, selectively during the unloading of the platforms whereby cans of underweight and can of overweight are discharged at different points from the platforms, said stationary member having a space'between the series of tracks controlling the scale beam for unloading arid the single track for controlling the scale beam during loading, said stationary member having also a space between the single track and the series of tracks so as to free the scale beam for selectively entering one of the series of tracks depending upon the weight of the can, a yielding diverting roller located in the space at the receiving ends of the series of tracks and cooperating with said directors for directing the beam into the tracks and a friction bar located at the ends of the series of' tracks with which i' the ends of the scale beams contact to prevent sudden movement of the scale beams when said ends leave the tracks.

- MERTON L. DODGE. 

